Don & Jean Culhane Family Endowment

I was saddened to hear of the passing of one of our dear benefactors Jean Culhane. Just a month before, Don and Jean entered my office after a John Paul II School children's Mass. They loved attending that Mass, and did so regularly. Don and Jean have been long time supporters of Mitchell Catholic Schools, so it came by no surprise when they asked to establish an endowment benefiting John Paul II School. More importantly, they felt lead by the Lord to support the "Adopt-A-Student" tuition assistance program. This program allows families with financial needs to send their children to John Paul II Catholic Elementary School without having to worry about tuition. I know Don and Jean were acting as true stewards responding to the Lord's words "Whatsoever you do for the least of my people, that you do unto me". I offer my deepest sympathies to the Culhane family. Likewise I rejoice, even more fitting today on All Saints Day, that heaven gained a new angel . Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

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+Jeanette Ann Culhane, 84, Oro Valley, AZ, and Mitchell, SD, died Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at her home in Oro Valley under hospice care. Prayer services will be held from 4-6:00 pm Friday, November 2, at the Rancho Vistoso Memorial Chapel in Oro Valley. Memorial services and burial will be at a later date in Mitchell, SD. Arrangements are with the Bittner Funeral Chapel. In Lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to be made to the Don and Jean Culhane Endowment c/o Mitchell Foundation for Catholic Education, 1510 W. Elm, Mitchell, SD. She was born October 14, 1928 at Ethan, SD to Leo and Dorothy (Hohn) Coyne. She grew up at Ethan where she attended grade school and graduated from Notre Dame High School in Mitchell in 1946. She also attended St. Teresa College in Winona, MN. On September 2, 1948 she married Donald Culhane in Mitchell. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, the 20^th Century Club, Oscar Howe Museum Madrigal and Avera Queen of Peace Hospital Auxiliary. She is survived by her husband, Donald, five sons: Terry (Sue), Omaha, NE; Kevin (Margi), Sioux Falls; Steven (Bonny), Mitchell; Mark (Michelle), Atherton, CA; Christopher (Camy), Rapid City; four daughters: Karen (Bob) Twitchell, Rockville, MD; Ann (Tom) Neale, Danville, CA; Donna (Wayne) Eberenz, Knoxville, TN; Constance (Bill) Kaminski, LaPorte, IN; 22 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, two sisters: Eileen (Claire) Tystad, Gering, NE; Carol (Roman) Pumper, Fort Meyers, FL; and one brother, Jim (Frances) Coyne, New York, NY. She was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Tystad and husband Milo and two brothers, Pat and Mike Coyne.

+Donald Eugene Culhane, age 92, died Thursday October 18, 2018 at his home in Oro Valley, AZ surrounded by his loved ones. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, June 1, at 10:00 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM Friday, at Bittner Funeral Chapel with a Scripture Service at 6:30 PM. Donald Eugene Culhane was born on May 11, 1926 at Huron, SD to Alexander and Ruth (Lynch) Culhane. He grew up in Mitchell, South Dakota and graduated from Mitchell High School in 1944. Don attended the University of Kansas and was a member of the KU Jayhawks Basketball team. He graduated from KU in 1948. Don served in the US Armed Forces during the summer of 1945. On September 2, 1948, he married Jeanette Coyne at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell. He owned and managed Culhane Dairy at the corner of 1^st and Sanborn for 44 years until his retirement in 1993. Many customers remember tearing off the milk tabs and turning them in for rides during Corn Palace Week. Don served as a Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus, President of the Mitchell Chamber of Commerce, President of the Mitchell Lions Club, President of St. Joseph Hospital Board of Directors and provided many hours of volunteer service to the Mitchell community. Don is survived by his children, five Sons: Terry (Suzanne), Kansas City, MO; Kevin (Margi), Madison, SD; Steven (Bonny), Mitchell, SD; Mark (Michelle), Atherton, CA; Christopher (Camy), Oro Valley, AZ; four Daughters: Karen (Bob) Twitchell, Rockville, MD; Ann (Tom) Neale, Danville, CA; Donna (Wayne) Eberenz, Knoxville, TN; Constance (Bill) Kaminski, LaPorte, IN; twenty-six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, and brother Father Richard (Alberic) Culhane of Collegeville, MN. Don was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jeanette in 2012, his brother Francis and sister Patricia Madden. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed towards the Don & Jean Culhane endowment fund with Mitchell Catholic Foundation.

An endowment fund is a perpetual fund, created by charitable donations in the form of cash, stocks, mutual funds, real property, or other personal property given to the Foundation. The practice of investing the principal, rather than spending it, creates a perpetual fund. Most of an endowment’s annual earnings are distributed to the designated benefactors, in this case, John Paul II School. Endowments provide a “forever-giving” funding source for Catholic programs and activities. A gift in your will could establish an endowment and a lasting legacy for you, your family, and benefactor.

If you would like information on how you can leave a lasting legacy for yourself or a loved one, call the MCF office to set up an appointment at 605-999-9127.

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